Apparatus for hydrotherapeutic treatment



m I A May 28, 1957 H. H. SCHWARTZ APPARATUS FOR HYDROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT Filed March 21 1952 EII3 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 {00000000} m coon-moon 0 0000000000 0 ooo cocoo 00cm: oaoocooo once f 0000000 no 000000 0 0000 can o a FIE- 2 D6 one 000 $090 a 0000 o OQOOO o o O oooouwou a :00

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APPARATUS FOR HYDROTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT Filed March 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IE la |E| L INVENTOR. Fl E Hal H. Schgvarfz United States Patent FOR HYDRQ'IHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT Hal H. Schwartz, Mill Valley, Calif., assignor to Vibra- Bath Corporation, a corporation of California APPARATUS The invention relates to devices providing and agitating a water bath for therapeutic treatment of a human body immersed therein.

Hydrotherapeutic baths have, in general, consisted of two broad classifications or types. In one the patient is immersed ina warm water bath and the water is caused to flow or circulate over the body or portions thereof being treated. A common form of this type is sometimes called a whirlpool bath, wherein the apparatus is provided with a water pump which discharges a jet or stream of water into the bath at a point below the surface of the Water and the body. undergoing therapy is positioned in the path of the jet. Air is sometimes introduced into the jet so as to increase the level of tolerance of the body to elevated water temperatures and also to soften the impact of the moving water stream with the portion of the body undergoing therapy. The other type of hydrotherapeutic bath is one in which the water is relatively still as a body but aerated in a manner similar to a natural carbonated mineral bath. In this type, air or other gas is released into the bath to form myriads of tiny bubbles in a foaming, effervescent effect, which flow gently up and over the skin of the bather. In accordance with the present invention and as a principal object thereof, I have provided a new and improved type and character of agitation of a water bath for hydrotherapeutic treatment, in which is obtained a more effective manipulative and massaging action of a specific character than heretofore available.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a hydrotherapeutic bath of the character described a multidirectional churning agitation and in which the agitative action may be quickly and easily correlated with the depth and size of the bath to obtain a most effective or optimum action throughout a desired area.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in which air is introduced into the bath to cause the aforesaid churning action and the air is heated to offset the cooling evaporative action of air bubbles in the bath without excessive heating of the bath.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the character described in which the novel manipulative action of the churning water may be. supplemented where desired by a mechanical massaging action.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hydrotherapeutic apparatus of the type described which is of simple and rugged construction with a minimum number of parts and wherein all moving parts are removed from the bath, and which is readily portable and 2,793,640 Patented May 28, 1957 ice easy to set up and instantly use at most any location without special installation being required.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following descriptions of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claim.

- Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a hydrotherapeutic apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational .view of the apparatus with the container for the bath being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a valve forming part of the apparatus and is taken substantially on the plane of line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view taken through the center of the blower unit forming a part of the apparatus, the internal electrical wiring being deleted for clarity of illustration, and shown in schematic form in Figure 8.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the air manifold only, taken substantially on the plane of line 5--5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of a modified form of air manifold.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the' modified air manifold and is taken substantially on the plane of line 7--7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical parts and their connections.

The hydrotherapeutic device of the present invention, and as shown in the accompanying drawings, includes a container 11, for a water bath 12, and an air manifold 13, mounted in the container beneath the surface of the water and provided with a plurality of apertures 14 generally distributed over the manifold, together with conduit means 16 connected to the maniflold and adapted to provide communication between the manifold anda source of air providing a relatively large volume of air at a relatively low pressure, whereby optimum volumes of air will be released into said bath for producing a turbulent churning action therein. In accordance with the present invention, the total area of the apertures is proportioned to coact with the relatively large volume and relatively low pressure air supplied to the manifold and with the head of liquid overlying the apertures to provide a relatively small pressure drop across the apertures whereby air will pass from the manifold into the bath in relatively large horizontally spaced masses producing a maximum churning action in the bath.

it has been found that, in an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and employing an air manifold of approximately 1% square feet of horizontal area disposed in the ordinary bath depth of approximately one to two or three feet below the surface of the liquid bath, the novel churning and vibrating type of action herein depicted of the bath may be obtained by furnishing a volume of air to the manifold ranging be tween 15 to 60 cubic feet of air per minute at a pressure of A to 2% pounds per square inch :above atmospheric pressure. The relatively large volume of air thus introduced into the bath through the horizontally distributed apertures at the range of pressures indicated causes the formation of large intermittent air masses throughout the bath over the manifold which, in their rising action, create the novel multidirectional agitation and churning of the water and produce currents which impinge with more or less equal vigor against and effectively manipulate, displace and massage the various portions of the body in the bath over the manifold.

Any suitable source of air under pressure may be used capable of furnishing the relatively large volume of low pressure air as above described. Preferably and as here shown this source comprises an electric motor drivenblower air supply unit 17 which will provide the needed large volumes of air at relatively low pressure. This unit also preferably houses auxiliary air heating means and controls so as to'comprise a completely selfcontained, portable air supply unit for the apparatus, and which may be conveniently connected to the air manifold 13 by the above described conduit means 16.

As may best be seen from Figure 4 of the accompanying drawing, the air supply unit 17 includes an electric motor and blower assembly 18 mounted in a two-part housing 19, preferably having a carrying handle 20 secured thereto and consisting of a generally cylindrical, pail-shaped lower shell portion 21 and an inverted mating upper shell portion 22 here rel-easably secured to the portion 2-1 by screws 23. An inner shell 24 is mounted in concentric relation Within the housing 19 and is supported therein by means of spacer members 26 secured to the housing portion 21 and 24 respectively by .screws 27 and 28. The unit 18 includes an electric motor 29 having a rotary impeller 31 mounted on and driven by the motor shaft 32 for rotation Within a blower cage 33, the assembly being here secured concentrically within the inner shell 24 by fastening a mounting frame portion 34 of the unit to an open spider member 36 in turn secured, as by screws 37, across the shell 24 while the frame 34 is secured to the member 36 by opposed screws 39 and 41 engaging the opposite ends of spacer members 42. Additionally the cage 33 is centered by a surrounding gasket 38 engaging between the cage and the lower end of shell 24.

As an important feature of the present invention, means is provided for heating the air delivered from the air supply unit 17 to the air manifold 13 in order to offset, at least in a large part, the cooling evaporative action of the air introduced into the water bath. in this manner the required temperature maybe maintained in the bath for at least short intervals of treatment without using a heater directly in the bath or adding heated Water thereto. It is also desirable that the air be heated in order to avoid an uncomfortable chilling which may be encountered when the body is placed quite close, within about two inches, of the apertures, where cold air is used. Ashere shown, this means for heating the air is incorporated in the air supply unit 17 and consists of an electrical heating element 43 disposed in the air stream passing from the blower 18 to the exhaust opening 44 of the air supply unit. As may best be seen in Figure 4, the heating element 43 is here supported on insulating members 46 which are in turn carried by a supporting post 47 mounted upon the spider member 36. It is also essential for the comfort and protection of the patient that the air not be overheated. Air jets having a temperature in the neighborhood of or above 180 F. will produce burning of the skin in a matter of minutes where the body is positioned upon or in close proximity to the manifold. The danger of burning is particularly important in the treatment of paralyzed, insensitive body portions. A desirable and effective range of air temperature is from about 90 F. to 180 F. In orderto prevent overheating of the air a thermostatically operated electric switch 48 is connected in the electric circuit to the element 43 and is mounted in heated air flow down stream of the element so as to open the electric circuit,

4 whenever the temperature of the air rises above its pre set value, preferably 170 F. to 180 F.

As a further safety measure, a second thermostatically operated electric switch 49 may be mounted as here shown in the cool air stream ahead of the heating element with the thermostat 49 being adapted to warm up and shut off the current through the heating element should the flow of air through the air supply unit be halted for any reason, such as motor failure or blockage of the air inlet or discharge openings. Preferably the thermostat 49 is provided with suitable baffles or fins 51 arranged to prevent radiant heating of the safety thermostat and shutting off of the unit while the air is flowing.

As previously described, a definite :coact-ion exists between the volume and pressure of .air supplied to the apertures, the total area of the apertures, and the head of liquid over the apertures. It is frequently desirable to vary the depth of the liquid bath in the container 11 for various types of hydrotherapeutic treatment. In order to accommodate the apparatus to such variations in thedep'th of the liquid, means is provided for controlling the volume and pressure of air delivered to the manifold through the conduit 16. In the present apparatus, this means is embodied in a manually adjustable control for the electric motor speed and includes one or more resistors 52 and 53 insertible in the lead to the motor 29 to provide the aforesaid control of the motor speed. Selective insertion of the resistors in the lead is accomplished by a multiple pole switch 54 mounted on the housing 19 and having manually engageable knob and indicator member 56 movable to positions designated as high, medium and low. Preferably, when used with a manifold of about 1 /2 square feet as herein described, the low position of the selector switch 54 will energize the air supply unit to furnish approximately 15 cubic feet of air .per minute at a pressure of approximately of a pound per square inch above atmospheric pressure, while in the high position the unit will. furnish in the neighborhood of cubic feet per minute at a pressure of approximately 2 /2 pounds per square inch above atmospheric pressure. This range of pressures and volumes has been found to produce the above described novel multidirectional churning action through the liquid of the bath as contrasted to a mere effervescent effect above noted. By the use of the control 54,'the intensity of this multidireetional churning action may be selected for most effective therapeutic treatment within the range indicated.

A schematic circuit diagram is illustrated in Figure 8 of the electrical parts and their connections. A power supply lead 57 is connected to one side of an on-oif switch '58 which has its other side connected by leads 59 and 61 to the motor 29 and the air temperature thermostat 48, respectively. The motor 29 is connected by lead 62 to the selector arm of switch 54. As here shown, the motor speed control switch 54 is of the three-pole type providing low, medium and high speed of the motor 29 and with the poles so designed in the drawing. In the high speed pole, the pole is connected by conductor 63 to the other power lead 64 through the high temperature thermostat switch 49 so that in the high position of the switch full line voltage is applied to the motor. The medium pole of the switch is connecteduby conductor 65 to one side of resistor 52 having its other side eonnected to lead 63 and the power lead 64, so that in the medium position the line voltage is reduced by the drop through resistor 52 prior to reaching the motor. The low pole is connected by conductor 66 to one side of resistor 53 having its opposite end connected to resistor 52 so that in the low position of the switch resistors '53 and 52 are positioned in series with the motor to effect a further voltage drop. The electrical heating element 43 is wired between the thermostat switch 48 and the high temperature thermostat switch 49 as indicated, so that the heating element will be normally energized upon closing of the master switch 58. Preferably,

an on-off switch 60 is interposed in the lead 61 between the master switch 58 and thethermostat 48 in order to permit selective turning off of the circuit to the heating element 43 while the motor 29 is running.

As above noted, one of the important features of the present invention lies in the complete portability of the air supply unit and the attached conduit means and air manifold. The unit may, accordingly, be easily transported from container to container, if desired, and is ideally adapted for home use and treatment by utilizing the bathtub of the patient for the container. In View of the wide extent and variety of installations possible with this apparatus, it is essential that all of the electrical parts be carefully insulated, particularly with respect to the outer casing 19 of the air supply unit 17 and that precaution be taken against wetting of the parts and possible short-circuiting of the motor. In the present apparatus this insulation of the parts is achieved by forming the spacer members 26 and 42 and the gasket 38 of suitable non-conducting material and by providing the exit opening 44 in the form of a tube member 67 also composed of non-conducting material and being further provided with a sealing gasket 68 between the tube 67 and the upper member 22 of the housing 19. Further protecting of the motor 29, from water which may be accidentally splashed from the bath, is provided by extending the lower edge of the upper member 22 downwardly and outwardly to form a bell-shaped skirt portion 69 adapted to surround and conceal peripheral openings 70 provided in the housing member 21. Additional insulation may be provided by non-conducting foot members 71 here secured to the bottom portion 72 of the member 21 as shown in Figure 4. By the complete electrical isolation of the casing and other manually engageable parts, an electrical ground may be obviated.

In order to provide an air supply unit 17 having a desired quietness of operation, for convenient use in homes and hospitals, clinics, or the like a layer 73 of suitable sound insulating material such as glass wool or the like may be mounted, as here shown, around the inner sides and bottom of the member 21. The inner surface 74 of the sound insulating material 73 is preferably spaced from and arranged in concentric relation to the cylindrical sleeve portion 33 of the frame 34 in order to provide a passageway 76 for air flow from the intake openings 70 to the blowerimpeller 39.

Auxiliary means 77 is here shown mounted in the conduit means 16 for providing a finer control of the volume and pressure of air delivered therethrough to the manifold 13. For convenience in transportation and installation, the conduit means is shown in the present apparatus as comprising a flexible hose 78 formed of rubber or the like, which has an end 80 formed for detachable engagement over the tube 67 of the air supply unit. The means 77 consists of a valve here .shown of a bleeder type adapted to allow a portion of the air coming through the conduit to be vented to the atmosphere. As may best be seen in Figure 3, the valve consists of a cylindrical metal ring 79, embracing the hose 78 and having an opening 81 formed therein in alignment with a corresponding opening 82 provided in the hose. A second, closely fitting metal ring '83 is slidably mounted in concentric relation about the ring 79 and has formed therein an opening 84 which may be adjustably moved int-o and out of alignment with the openings 81 and 82 to permit bleeding off'of any desired amount of air from the conduit 16. As will the appreciated, either the threespeed motor control previously described or the valve means 77, which may be inserted in the line as a flowrestricting or cut-off valve, if desired, may be utilized separately or in cooperation for controlling the pressure and volume of air delivered to the manifold, with the valve means 77 having the added virtue of adapting the apparatus for use with other sources of air under pressure and providing increased accuracy of control when used in connection with the variable speed motor of the air supply unit; 17.

. As may best be seen in Figures 1, 2 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, the air manifold 13 is here of generally flattened form and is adapted for mounting in the container 11in a horizontal position at a spaced distance beneath the surface 12a of the water bath 12. The air manifold is of plate-like configuration, adapted to focus and intensify vibrations transmitted to the liquid by the manifold and is provided with an integrally formed air distributing chamber 86, communicating with the conduit 16. The manifold 13 may be connected to the cond-uit 78 by means of an upwardly extending tubular portion 87 affixed to the air manifold and having an upper end portion 88 over which the end 89 of the hose 78 may be releasably engaged. Various materials may be used in the manifold such as metal or plastic and, as here shown, the manifold 13 is fabricated from a pair of relatively thin metal plates 91 and 92, rigidly secured together, with the upper plate 91 being formed with raised rib portions 93 which cooperate with the flat lower plate 92 to define the aforementioned lair distributing member 86. As may be seen from Figure l of the drawing, the rib portions 93 are proportioned and arranged to provide a general distribution of the apertures 14, which are formed in the upper sides of the rib portions over the horizontal area of the air manifold. The container 11 may be of any suitable dimensions and shape permitting the desired head of liquid over the apertures as previously described. Preferably, the manifold is provided with a rubber cushion or bead around its peripheral edge to preclude m'arring or other damaging of the container.

The most active churning action in the bath occurs in a zone starting several inches above the manifold. Some times, however, it is desirable or necessary to support the body to be treated directly upon the manifold. In the latter instance it is essential that means he provided for supporting the body away from the apertures 14 in order to prevent blocking of the streams of air issuing therefrom. As may be best seen in Figure 5, such a supporting means has been incorporated in the present device in the form of a plurality of pads 94 mounted on the upper surface of the manifold between the rib portions 93 and formed with upwardly extending fingers 96 of soft, resiliently flexible material such as rubber or the like, with the fingers 96 being proportioned to support the body above the manifold and away from the apertures 14. As a further feature, the fingers 96 are proportioned and arranged to provide a massaging action on the portions of the body resting thereon. As will be apparent, the aforementioned novel mu'ltidirectional churning action will manipulate and rock the body back and forth in a manner which will cooperate with the soft, compressible nature of the fingers 96 to effect a massaging action.

A modified form of air manifold 13a is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, wherein a different form of construction is adapted for supporting the body to be treated away from the air openings. In this form of the invention the manifold 13a is also of generally flattened form and is composed of a pair of plates 91a and 92a similar in construction to the manifold 13 illustrated in the preferred embodiment. The means for supporting the body away from the apertures 14a is here provided by forming the upper plate 91a to provide comparatively broad planar rib portions 97 adapted to support the body directly on their upper surfaces 98 and having generally vertically extending sides 99 defining recessed valley portions 101 between the reiatively elevated planar portions 98. The air discharge apertures 14a are formed in the vertical sides 98 spaced beneath and away from the relatively raised planar portions 97. In this manner the body will [normally be supported on one or more of the portions 97 out of contact with the apertures 14a to permit free flow of the air streams into the bath.

G I claim:

A hydrotherapeutic device for agitating a liquid bath for treating a body immersed therein comprising, an air manifold of generally flattened 'fomn adapted for immersion-in, said bath below the surfiace thereof and being formedvv-ith a plurality of apertures generally distributed over said manifold, pad means secured to said manifold and having upwardly projecting fingers of soft resiliently fiexiblematerial adapted to support the body away from said apertures, and a blower connected to said manifold 10 for furnishing a relatively large volume of air at a rel- Referenc es'Cited in the 'file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

